At the beginning of January, we all have the best intentions: go the gym more, cut down on those glasses of red, get eight hours’ every night without fail…
Relaxing spa day at home
But for us, one of the best (and easiest) things you can do is vow to make 2020 the year to turn your skin care up a notch. After the holiday season you might be feeling the effects of too many late nights and overdoing it on the food and alcohol – and no doubt it’s starting to show up on your skin. help your skin recover and get your best skin yet with our seven new year skin care resolutions that are so good you’ll actually want to stick to them.
Be gentle with your skin
We all know that well-worn phrase ‘new year, new me’. It can be tempting to completely overhaul your skin care ritual at the start of a new year but introducing lots of new products at once can do more harm than good and cause irritation. Introduce any new products gradually to allow your skin to adjust and always choose natural-based products instead of harsh synthetics. Give your skin a bit of TLC with a blend of gentle cleansers, nourishing serums and rich moisturisers suited to your skin concern.
Up your exfoliation game
Exfoliating 1-2 times a week is essential for revitalising your skin and restoring its natural glow. But how many of us actually stick to a regular exfoliation routine? Make 2020 the year of the face scrub (we love our Daily Exfoliating Cream for a gentle formula that’s kind even to sensitive skin) to reveal your best skin yet. Read our guide to face scrubs to find out how exfoliating can help improve your skin.
Incorporate anti-ageing
Our skin starts to age when we reach our mid-20s, so it’s never too early to start investing in natural anti-ageing skin care to reduce the appearance of fine lines, dark spots and uneven skin texture. We need different formulas at different stages of our lives, so reaching for the generic anti-ageing cream won’t cut it. If you’re in your late 20s and 30s, chances are you’re starting to see the first signs of ageing (dullness, dryness, fatigue and fine lines), so we recommend using our Herbal Recovery range at this stage. If you’re in your 40s and 50s, we recommend our Nutri-Define range, which effectively targets advanced signs of ageing such as sagging skin, deep lines and wrinkles and improves skin elasticity in the face.
Add an eye cream
Are you using eye care yet? The skin around our eyes is delicate and thin, so needs special formulas to look after it. Make 2020 the year that you use an eye cream or gel morning and night: bonus points if it has firming and brightening properties, such as our Purely White Skin Brightening Eye Correcting Cream.
Use an SPF
The sun’s harmful rays can do more damage to your skin than anything else. Protect your skin from UV damage by wearing an SPF every day, regardless of the weather. This is particularly important after you’ve exfoliated, which can enhance your skin’s vulnerability to UV damage. Apply your SPF after moisturiser but before makeup.
Look after your skin from within
Looking for a new year skin detox? Healthy skin starts with a healthy lifestyle. Keep skin hydrated by drinking 2L of water every day and make sure your skin is getting the nutrients it needs with wholefoods, healthy fats and meals rich in fibre (read our guide to eating your way to radiant skin for nutritious ways to improve your diet). Try and get at least half an hour of movement every day (a walk at lunch time is a great way to get moving – and clear your head) and those coveted eight hours of sleep every night.
Practice self-care
The new year is a good time to set good intentions for the months to come, and that includes taking time for yourself. Try aromatherapy, meditation or create your own relaxing spa day at home to help restore and rebalance the mind.
